This oneโs for the grafters, the gaffers, and the gurners. The crew that makes the mountain move. ๐ง๐ธ๐๏ธ
Powered by caffeine, chaos, and Carling โ only on The Riff Report.
๐ก WHO THE HELL ARE THE MOUNTAIN CREW?
You might not see them onstage, but theyโre the first to arrive and the last to leave โ usually covered in mud, mystery bruises, and duct tape.
Theyโre the:
- ๐๏ธ Tech heads
- ๐ Power wranglers
- ๐๏ธ Stage builders
- ๐ง Trackway layers
- โ Tea brewers
- ๐งป Loo saviours
- And absolute legends of logistics
Without them? There is no Steelhouse. Just a windy field and some confused sheep.
โWe donโt wear capes. We wear hi-vis. And smell like diesel.โ โ Matty, Steelhouse Veteran of 9 builds
๐ค MEET THE MOUNTAIN HEROES
Letโs shine a massive floodlight on the crew keeping Steelhouse alive every year. Torch batteries fully charged? Good. Letโs go.
๐ง BIG DAZ โ The Stage General
Role: Master of Scaffolding, Lord of the Load-In
Catchphrase: โIf it ainโt zip-tied, it ainโt finished.โ
Fun Fact: Once built an entire riser during a thunderstorm with a dislocated thumb.
Daz runs the stage like a battlefield commander โ every plank, platform and pyro rig bends to his will. Donโt ask how. Just nod, pass him the drill, and move out of his way.
โก LEAH “THE CABLE WHISPERER”
Role: Power distribution goddess
Catchphrase: โDo NOT step on the cable trunk, or so help me…โ
Fun Fact: Has tattooed cable layouts on her leg โ for efficiency (and because sheโs a legend)
Leah keeps the lights on and the amps humming. Sheโs patched more 3-phase power in one weekend than most electricians do in a year โ usually while shouting at the sky and sipping lukewarm tea.
๐๏ธ OWAIN ON SOUND โ The Volume Viking
Role: FOH wizard / Monitor whisperer
Catchphrase: โMore snare. No, more snare.โ
Fun Fact: Can mix your favourite band while dodging beer cups and balancing on a flight case
Owain lives at the mixing desk, surrounded by faders, flashing lights, and the ghosts of feedback past. Heโs got ears like a bat and a no-nonsense attitude that makes divas cry and monitors sing.
๐งฝ JULIE โ QUEEN OF THE CLEAN-UP CREW
Role: Litter ninja, toilet whisperer, patron saint of post-gig carnage
Catchphrase: โThatโs not mud. Donโt touch it.โ
Fun Fact: Once recovered a full tent, unopened cider crate, and sleeping metalhead before 7AM
Julie and her army of unsung heroes wade into the battlefield of bins and bogs, armed with black bags, jet washers, and pure rage. Sheโs the reason you donโt drown in crisp packets.
๐ป DAI THE DRIVER โ MAN VS MOUNTAIN
Role: Shuttles gear, people, and rogue llamas (donโt ask)
Catchphrase: โHold tight. This roadโs steeper than a Slayer solo.โ
Fun Fact: Has never spilled a single amp. Has spilled three drummers.
Daiโs 4×4 is the real backstage headliner. Heโs the human SatNav of Steelhouse, hauling tonnes of gear up gravel tracks in sideways rain with one hand on the clutch and the other holding a Greggs pasty.
๐ช THE โTENT TECHSโ โ Lords of Lashing & Pegging
Role: Building tents, saving tents, replacing tentsโฆ
Catchphrase: โThatโs not tensioned right. Watch this.โ
Fun Fact: Invented the infamous โSteelhouse Tent Triangleโ โ where tents vanish without trace overnight
They brave wind, sleet, and overzealous campers to make sure every structure stands tall โ from the merch tent to the food court to the backstage chill zone that somehow becomes a sauna.
๐ธ VOLUNTEER ARMY โ THE MOUNTAINโS BEATING HEART
Every year, dozens of mad legends volunteer to shift bins, sell shirts, and guide the masses. From locals to lifelong fans, theyโre the friendly face of festival chaos.
โWe come back every year because it feels like family โ loud, sweaty family who like Motorhead.โ โ Beth, volunteer & wristband ninja
๐ช LEGENDARY CREW MOMENTS
Hereโs just a taste of what these lunatics pull off behind the scenes:
- Built an emergency second bar from pallets and tarpaulin after a storm destroyed the original
- Rescued a singer stuck inside a portakabin after the wind slammed the door shut (with a bandmate inside playing kazoo)
- Fixed a generator mid-set using a metal spoon, chewing gum, and prayer ๐
๐ค WHY THEY DO IT
Theyโre not in it for the glamour, butt. Thereโs no backstage champagne, no limo drop-offs. Just long days, short tempers, endless rainโฆ and absolute magic.
โItโs hard work. But when that first riff kicks in and the crowd goes offโฆ itโs worth every splinter.โ โ Leah
Steelhouse Crew arenโt just staff. Theyโre the soul of the festival. Every bolt, banner, bog, and bass amp is thanks to them.
๐ค HOW TO THANK THE CREW
- Be kind. Be patient. Donโt be a knob.
- Buy โem a pint if you see ’em
- Shout โDIOLCH CREW!โ from the pit
- And maybeโฆ join them next year? (Applications open, ya know ๐)
๐ NEXT UPโฆ
Steelhouse Build Diary: Part 6 โ “The Steelhouse Superfans: Tattoos, Tent Shrines & 10-Year Veterans” ๐ฅ๐๏ธ
Want it? Just say the word and weโll blow the lid off the mountainโs most devoted riff addicts.
Until thenโฆ
#CrewLife #BuiltByLegends #TheRiffReport
Diolch, you beautiful backstage beasts ๐ช๐
